Bonding Approved For Bourbon Factory
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
BOURBON - In what was described as "a win-win situation," town council unanimously approved a local factory owner's request for industrial revenue bonds.
Robert Dragani, owner of Northern Indiana Manufacturing Inc., explained Tuesday that the renovation of his Ecker Street facility is proceeding and he is ready to secure financing to complete his plant expansion. The town granted him a five-year tax abatement on the plant earlier in the year.
Acting town attorney Ron Gifford said the town has in place an economic development commission composed of Don Rettinger, Everett Beagle and Ralph Mason. After receiving the early approval from the council, the commission members will hold a public hearing on the matter and return to the council for a final approval, probably in October. Gifford said issuing the bonds, called Town of Bourbon bonds, will not raise any tax rates or incur any liability for the town. It will, however, increase the tax base and keep jobs in town. The purchaser of the bonds will get a tax-exempt rate.
Dragani said renovation of his 95,000-square-foot plant, which manufactures and machines metal components, will cost approximately $2 million and will bring 13 jobs and equipment from a South Bend facility. The renovation and expansion will increase employees to 22.
In other matters:
• Council voted unanimously to amend an ordinance governing the placement of mobile homes in the town. The ordinance, passed in March, states in part that a change of ownership of a mobile home will immediately revoke permission allowing the placement of the mobile home in town. The amendment states that when such a change of ownership occurs, the mobile home must be removed within 30 days. A mobile home may be replaced with a manufactured home meeting ordinance requirements.
Council liaison Ellen Elliott said that all mobile home owners in town have been given copies of the ordinance.
• David Shumaker pleaded his case against threatened legal action by the town concerning a vehicle on his property. Shumaker argued the 1971 automobile is not a junk vehicle but is insured and has a current license plate. He said he has been working on the vehicle but does not yet have it running.
Police Chief John West explained the town ordinance defines a junk vehicle as one which is inoperable. Shumaker admitted the car had been inoperable on the property since 1990. Council members agreed to give Shumaker until the end of the month to have the matter resolved. [[In-content Ad]]
BOURBON - In what was described as "a win-win situation," town council unanimously approved a local factory owner's request for industrial revenue bonds.
Robert Dragani, owner of Northern Indiana Manufacturing Inc., explained Tuesday that the renovation of his Ecker Street facility is proceeding and he is ready to secure financing to complete his plant expansion. The town granted him a five-year tax abatement on the plant earlier in the year.
Acting town attorney Ron Gifford said the town has in place an economic development commission composed of Don Rettinger, Everett Beagle and Ralph Mason. After receiving the early approval from the council, the commission members will hold a public hearing on the matter and return to the council for a final approval, probably in October. Gifford said issuing the bonds, called Town of Bourbon bonds, will not raise any tax rates or incur any liability for the town. It will, however, increase the tax base and keep jobs in town. The purchaser of the bonds will get a tax-exempt rate.
Dragani said renovation of his 95,000-square-foot plant, which manufactures and machines metal components, will cost approximately $2 million and will bring 13 jobs and equipment from a South Bend facility. The renovation and expansion will increase employees to 22.
In other matters:
• Council voted unanimously to amend an ordinance governing the placement of mobile homes in the town. The ordinance, passed in March, states in part that a change of ownership of a mobile home will immediately revoke permission allowing the placement of the mobile home in town. The amendment states that when such a change of ownership occurs, the mobile home must be removed within 30 days. A mobile home may be replaced with a manufactured home meeting ordinance requirements.
Council liaison Ellen Elliott said that all mobile home owners in town have been given copies of the ordinance.
• David Shumaker pleaded his case against threatened legal action by the town concerning a vehicle on his property. Shumaker argued the 1971 automobile is not a junk vehicle but is insured and has a current license plate. He said he has been working on the vehicle but does not yet have it running.
Police Chief John West explained the town ordinance defines a junk vehicle as one which is inoperable. Shumaker admitted the car had been inoperable on the property since 1990. Council members agreed to give Shumaker until the end of the month to have the matter resolved. [[In-content Ad]]